Question

How did the spoils system affect President James Garfield and his successor Chester A. Arthur?

short and human written

Answer 1

The spoils system had a significant impact on both President James Garfield and his successor, Chester A. Arthur. The spoils system, which involved rewarding political supporters with government jobs, created a culture of patronage that permeated the government.

James Garfield, who took office in 1881, found himself in a contentious political environment, where factions within the Republican Party were fighting over these patronage positions. Garfield, who believed in merit-based appointments, faced immense pressure from party leaders and supporters who wanted to secure jobs for their allies. This tension ultimately culminated in his assassination in July 1881, just a few months into his presidency, by Charles Guiteau, a disgruntled office seeker who felt betrayed by Garfield's rejection of his demands for a government job.

Chester A. Arthur, who assumed the presidency following Garfield's death, had previously been a key figure in the spoils system as a supporter of the patronage system. However, in a dramatic shift, Arthur began to advocate for civil service reform, realizing that the chaos of the spoils system had contributed to Garfield's tragedy. He pushed for the Pendleton Act of 1883, which established a merit-based system for federal employment and curbed the rampant patronage. This reform effort marked a significant departure from his earlier positions, illustrating how the consequences of Garfield's assassination led to a reevaluation of political practices and an eventual move toward more professional and ethical governance.